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The Farmory (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
The Farmory is a nonprofit urban farm, where community members can learn about sustainable agriculture and aquaponics. However, many of the farm's features were inaccessibly to visitors who rely on wheelchairs or other mobility devices. To make the space more accessible, the Farmory installed a new aquaponics system, which is low to the ground. This allows visitors to see the farm's growing systems without needing to climb onto a ladder. The system consists of four growing beds, water tanks, a germinating chamber and a harvesting area. Today, produce grown with the new aquaponics system also helps combat food insecurity -- the Farmory donates about ten pounds of greens each week to the county's Aging and Disability Resource Center.
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Mobile, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: When the Mobile Medical Museum added a medicinal garden to its campus, the space included a a wooden boardwalk. However, older adults and people with disabilities struggles to navigate the boardwalk. This project made the garden ADA-compliant. Organizers removed the boardwalk and repaved and widened a crumbling concrete path leading to the garden. The garden -- which features medicinal herbs -- hosts community events, as well as art and horticultural therapy classes for people with disabilities and their families.
Brevard, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: In Brevard's Rosenwald neighborhood, residents lacked access to fresh food and safe outdoor spaces. The city created a community garden with raised beds for older adults and children, added ADA-compliant benches and picnic tables and hosted events to engage neighbors. The garden now offers a place for healthy activity and social connection. One resident shared joy at gardening with her son, who has a brain injury, while another found comfort there after losing a partner.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Union, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Low-income older adults in Union County faced food insecurity and limited access to fresh produce, especially those who were homebound or had disabilities. To address this, the organization distributed more than 400 bags of fresh produce and installed accessible raised garden beds and ADA-compliant garden boxes. The project also launched a community garden and partnered with local groups to expand outreach. Residents expressed appreciation, saying "this is such a blessing," and "the new garden gives me a place to go." Plans are underway to add gardens in all four municipalities to sustain and grow the effort.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Green Bay, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: New North addressed gaps in digital access that left many older adults without the skills needed to manage daily tasks online. The initiative expanded digital training across the region through group classes, 1-to-1 coaching and shared statewide modules, while partners added staff and volunteers to support instruction. The NEW BOOST Digital Navigator Network enabled more residents to learn on their own devices, easing financial strain and improving confidence. The effort built lasting capacity for digital skills support that helps older adults stay connected and access essential services.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Appleton, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: To give residents more spaces to gather and socialize, Creative Downtown Appleton created a parklet. Volunteers repurposed two on-street parking spaces to create the mini-park, which they outfitted with seating, tables and LED lighting. To make the space accessible to wheelchair users and parents with strollers, organizers installed a ramp. Additionally, they installed bike racks nearby. Visitors to the parklet are welcome to pick herbs for free, which Creative Downtown Appleton planted onsite. Project organizers say the space supports nearby businesses -- the parklet offers people an outdoor seating option so they can enjoy coffee or meals purchased locally.
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